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Is no news good news? Both sides negotiating a new contract for Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians have maintained a media blackout, but, with the current contract set to expire Saturday night after the annual BSO gala, there are a few favorable signs - and also potential concerns. "I believe the talks took a quantum leap forward" last week, said BSO concertmaster Jonathan Carney. Also last week, Michael Bronfein, the BSO's new board chairman, said: "I think it's fair to say the talks are progressing."

Bernardini will not be overlooked again. The 3-year-colt outclassed the field in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. yesterday, proving that his victory in the Preakness Stakes was no fluke. "There was a lot of doubt in people's minds about the Preakness," winning trainer Tom Albertrani said. "Today, he showed us what a really good horse he is." Albertrani has been raving about Bernardini ever since the colt's 5 1/4 -victory in the May 20 Preakness, a race that will be remembered as the one in which Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattered his right hind leg. Bernardini, with jockey Javier Castellano, took the lead around the first turn and was never challenged by Minister's Bid or Sunriver.

The bald cypress stands by a fish-shaped pond and white footbridge at the William Paca House and Garden. A 65-foot specimen with refreshing shade, it looks as old-fashioned as its surroundings in Annapolis - except for the slender copper wire neatly climbing its trunk. The new lightning protection system adorning the 30-year-old tree was a gift last week to the nonprofit Historic Annapolis Foundation, which runs the garden. Installed by employees of the Care of Trees company, it's potentially a lifesaver for a tree that is vulnerable, visible and hard to replace.

Here's the long and the short of it: Long shorts are this summer's most important trend. Yesterday's Bermuda shorts have been updated with new, more tailored styling and fashion-forward fabrics to become today's trouser shorts, the knee-length style also known as walking or city shorts. Stores and boutiques have been filled with them this summer. "They are one of the hottest sellers this season," says Karen Ciurca-Weiner, merchandise manager at Vassari in Pikesville. Walking shorts are the only style that the upscale boutique carries.

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Early yesterday morning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin went out to inspect Belmont Park's 1 1/2 -mile racecourse. When he came back to his stable, where Jazil was getting new shoes, McLaughlin couldn't hide his delight. "The track is fast," he said. "Perfect for a deep closer." Just how perfect became apparent 2 minutes, 27.86 seconds after the starting bell in the 138th Belmont Stakes, as Jazil breezed home to a 1 1/4 -length victory over Bluegrass Cat. Sunriver finished third, an additional 2 1/4 lengths back.

Jockey Javier Castellano was making his move with Bernardini at the 5/16 pole, in the middle of the final turn of the 131st Preakness. He had passed Brother Derek, was moving up on leader Sweetnorthernsaint and had only one worry. Where was Barbaro? Castellano looked back under his arm for the Kentucky Derby winner, who was heavily favored to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown, but he couldn't find him. "As soon as I crossed the finish line, I saw a horse in the middle of the racetrack," said Castellano, who beat Sweetnorthernsaint by 5 1/4 lengths.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- From the moment Barbaro reached the paddock yesterday, he was ready to get down to business. The 132nd Kentucky Derby was minutes away and the big dark bay colt was kicking. Trainer Michael Matz and jockey Edgar Prado stood in the stall, away from any errant leg, while Barbaro was saddled on the bricks. "Let's go win our first Kentucky Derby," Matz said, just before lifting Prado into the saddle. Matz made it sound easy, and Barbaro, after stumbling out of the starting gate, made it look easy, too, as he recovered and then made his big move out of the second turn.

Ben Reed is sitting in a corner at a friend's house, head down, trying to make himself cry. So far, the whites of his eyes are a little red, but they are tear-free. "For me, it's a challenge," the Severna Park High School senior says. "I've even tried poking my eyes." The pressure is on, because Reed and four of his classmates are still tinkering with their new full-length movie, which will premiere in the school's auditorium Friday. The movie, Broken Dreams, was written, filmed, acted, edited and even scored by the students for an independent study program that started in the fall.

The fates conspired to unite the returning rider with the redeeming horse yesterday at the 96th running of the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase. The result was a smashing feature victory for Roger Horgan and Sham Aciss, who left four rivals in the dust before an estimated crowd of 10,000 in ideal weather. Sham Aciss crossed the finish line seven lengths to the better of No Fast Moves after making a bold move to seize the lead at the 13th of 16 timber fences. Trainer Jack Fisher originally was named as the rider on Sham Aciss and Horgan was scheduled to guide the other half of his entry, Salmo.

FAIRFAX, Va. -- After being evicted from his apartment last year, Larry Chaney lived in his car for five months in Erie, Pa. As he passed the time at local cafes, he always put a ring of old house keys and several envelopes with bills on the table to give the impression that he had a home like everyone else. While Michelle Kennedy was living in her car with her three children in Belfast, Maine, she parked someplace different each night so no one would notice them, and she instructed the children to tell anyone who asked that they were "staying with friends."